Game-specific component enablement in a wagering game system

ABSTRACT

A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a physical configuration monitor module operable to enable execution of one or more wagering games associated with a game-specific physical configuration of the wagering game machine and to detect the game-specific physical configuration of the wagering game machine.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/829,034 filed Oct. 11, 2006 and entitled“GAME-SPECIFIC COMPONENT ENABLEMENT IN A WAGERING GAME SYSTEM”, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to computerized wagering game machines,and more specifically to game-specific component enablement of games ina wagering game system.

LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Copyright 2006, 2007, WMS Gaming, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Computerized wagering games have largely replaced traditional mechanicalwagering game machines such as slot machines, and are rapidly beingadopted to implement computerized versions of games that aretraditionally played live such as poker and blackjack. Thesecomputerized games provide many benefits to the game owner and to thegambler, including greater reliability than can be achieved with amechanical game or human dealer, more variety, sound, and animation inpresentation of a game, and a lower overall cost of production andmanagement.

The elements of computerized wagering game systems are in many ways thesame as the elements in the mechanical and table game counterparts inthat they must be fair, they must provide sufficient feedback to thegame player to make the game fun to play, and they must meet a varietyof gaming regulations to ensure that both the machine owner and gamerare honest and fairly treated in implementing the game. Further, theymust provide a gaming experience that is at least as attractive as theolder mechanical gaming machine experience to the gamer, to ensuresuccess in a competitive gaming market.

Computerized wagering games do not rely on the dealer or other gameplayers to facilitate game play and to provide an entertaining gameplaying environment, but rely upon the presentation of the game andenvironment generated by the wagering game machine itself. Incorporationof audio and video features into wagering games to present the wageringgame, to provide help, and to enhance the environment presented aretherefore important elements in the attractiveness and commercialsuccess of a computerized wagering game system. It is not uncommon foraudio voices to provide instruction and help, and to provide commentaryon the wagering game being played. Music and environmental effects arealso played through speakers in some wagering game systems to enhance orcomplement a theme of the wagering game. These sounds typicallyaccompany video presentation of the wagering game on a screen, whichitself often includes animation, video, and three-dimensional graphicsas part of presentation of the wagering game.

A variety of wagering games can typically be built using the sameenclosure or “chassis”, with various elements such as mechanical reelsymbols, button configuration, and artwork modified to fit a particularwagering game. The wagering game specific to that artwork and chassisconfiguration is then loaded into the computerized system, and isavailable for play. But, given the variety of artwork and game-specificfeatures available, and the increasing prevalence of downloadablewagering game software, ensuring that a wagering game loaded into awagering game system is consistent with or appropriate for the artworkor chassis configuration of a wagering game system is not trivial.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment of the invention comprises a computerizedwagering game system including a gaming module comprising a processorand gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor topresent a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and aphysical configuration monitor module operable to detect a game-specificphysical configuration of the wagering game machine, and to enableexecution of one or more wagering games associated with thegame-specific physical configuration of the wagering game machine. Thephysical configuration comprises in some embodiments mechanical orelectrical identifiers comprising a part of at least one physicalconfiguration element of the wagering game machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a computerized wagering game machine, as may be used topractice some example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computerized wagering game machine,consistent with some example embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wagering game system network, consistentwith an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a wagering game system mechanical reel assembly comprisingan identifier, consistent with an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a wagering game system game art glass plate comprising anidentifier, consistent with an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 comprises a flowchart of a method of practicing an exampleembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a wagering game system with a top box assembly including ahierarchy of identifiable components, consistent with an exampleembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of example embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to specific examples by way of drawings andillustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and serve toillustrate how the invention may be applied to various purposes orembodiments. Other embodiments of the invention exist and are within thescope of the invention, and logical, mechanical, electrical, and otherchanges may be made without departing from the scope or extent of thepresent invention. Features or limitations of various embodiments of theinvention described herein, however essential to the example embodimentsin which they are incorporated, do not limit the invention as a whole,and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, andapplication do not limit the invention as a whole but serve only todefine these example embodiments. The following detailed descriptiondoes not, therefore, limit the scope of the invention, which is definedonly by the appended claims.

One example embodiment of the invention provides enhanced graphicsrendering presentation capability via a computerized wagering gamesystem including a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming codewhich is operable when executed on the processor to present a wageringgame on which monetary value can be wagered, and a physicalconfiguration monitor module operable to enable execution of one or morewagering games associated with a game-specific physical configuration ofthe wagering game machine and to detect the game-specific physicalconfiguration of the wagering game machine.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized wagering game machine, as may be usedto practice some embodiments of the present invention. The computerizedgaming system shown generally at 100 is a video wagering game system,which displays information for at least one wagering game upon whichmonetary value can be wagered on video display 101. Video display 101 isin various embodiments a CRT display, a plasma display, an LCD display,a surface conducting electron emitter display, or any other type ofdisplay suitable for displaying electronically provided displayinformation. In some further embodiments, additional displays such as abonus game display or top box display 102 are further operable todisplay electronically provided information to a wagering game player.Alternate embodiments of the invention will have other game indicators,such as mechanical reels instead of the video graphics reels shown at103 that comprise a part of a video slot machine wagering game.

A wagering game is implemented using software within the wagering gamemachine, such as through instructions stored on a machine-readablemedium such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory. In some furtherexample embodiments, some or all of the software stored in the wageringgame machine is encrypted or is verified using a hash algorithm orencryption algorithm to ensure its authenticity and to verify that ithas not been altered. For example, in one embodiment the wagering gamesoftware is loaded from nonvolatile memory in a compact flash card, anda hash value is calculated or a digital signature is derived to confirmthat the data stored on the compact flash card has not been altered. Thegame of chance implemented via the loaded software takes various formsin different wagering game machines, including such well-known wageringgames as reel slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, or hold'em games. In some further embodiments, a secondary game or bonus gameis displayed on the secondary display 102, or other information such asprogressive slot information or other community game information isdisplayed.

The wagering game is played and controlled with inputs such as variousbuttons 104 or via a touchscreen overlay to video screen 101. Thetouchscreen is used in some embodiments to display virtual buttons,which can have unique functions in some embodiments, or can duplicatethe functions provided by the mechanical buttons 104 in otherembodiments. In some alternate examples, other devices such as a pullarm used to initiate reel spin in this reel slot machine example areemployed to provide other input interfaces to the game player. Theplayer interface components are in this example contained within ormechanically coupled to the wagering game system, but in otherembodiments will be located outside the wagering game system cabinetsuch as by a wired or wireless electronic connection to the wageringgame system.

Monetary value is typically wagered on the outcome of the games, such aswith tokens, coins, bills, or cards that hold monetary value. Thewagered value is conveyed to the machine such as through a changer 106or a secure user identification module interface 107, and winnings arereturned such as via a returned value ticket, a stored value card, orthrough the coin tray 108. Sound is also provided through speakers 109,typically including audio indicators of game play, such as reel spins,credit bang-ups, and environmental or other sound effects or music toprovide entertainment consistent with a theme of the computerizedwagering game. In some further embodiments, the wagering game machine iscoupled to a network, and is operable to use its network connection toreceive wagering game data, track players and monetary value associatedwith a player, and to perform other such functions.

In other embodiments, the computerized wagering game system takes one ormore other forms, such as a mobile or portable wagering game device, aserver-based wagering game device, or a networked wagering game system.These other computerized wagering game system embodiments need notcontain all features of the wagering game system of FIG. 1, which doesnot limit the scope of a computerized wagering game but is provided asan example only.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example embodiment of a wagering gamesystem. The wagering game system includes a processor 201, which issometimes called a microprocessor, controller, or central processingunit (CPU). In some embodiments, more than one processor is present, ordifferent types of processors are present in the wagering game system,such as using multiple processors to run gaming code, or using dedicatedprocessors for audio, graphics, security, or other functions. Theprocessor is coupled via a bus 202 to various other components,including memory 203 and nonvolatile storage 204. The nonvolatilestorage is able to retain the data stored therein when power is removed,and in various embodiments takes the form of a hard disk drive,nonvolatile random access memory such as a compact flash card, ornetwork-coupled storage. Further embodiments include additional datastorage technologies, such as compact disc, DVD, or HD-DVD storage inthe wagering game system.

The bus 202 also couples the processor and components to various othercomponents, such as a value acceptor 205, which is in some embodiments atoken acceptor, a card reader, or a biometric or wireless playeridentification reader. A touchscreen display 206 and speakers 207 serveto provide an interface between the wagering game system and a wageringgame player, as do various other components such as buttons 208,pullarms, and joysticks. A network connection 209 couples the wageringgame system to other wagering game machines and to a wagering gapeserver, such as to provide downloadable games or to provide accounting,player tracking, or other functions. These components are located in awagering game machine cabinet such as that of FIG. 1 in someembodiments, but can be located in multiple enclosures comprising awagering game system or outside a wagering game machine cabinet in otherembodiments, or in alternate forms such as a wireless or mobile device.

In operation, the wagering game system loads program code fromnonvolatile storage 204 into memory 203, and the processor 201 executesthe program code to cause the wagering game system to perform desiredfunctions such as to present a wagering game upon which monetary valuecan be wagered. This and other functions are provided by various modulesin the computerized system such as an audio module, a game presentationmodule, or a touchscreen display module, where such modules comprise insome embodiments hardware, software, mechanical elements, manualintervention, and various combinations thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a wagering game network diagram, consistent with an exampleembodiment of the invention. In this example, a wagering game server 301is coupled via a network 302 to two or more wagering game machines303A-303 n. The server is operable in various embodiments to performfunctions such as providing downloadable games to the wagering gamemachines, conducting wagering games that are presented on the wageringgame machines, performing accounting functions for games presented onthe wagering game machines, coordinating community, multi-player, orprogressive games played on the wagering game machines, or to provideplayer tracking features for users of the wagering game machines. Thewagering game machines are coupled to the server via a network, which isin various examples a wired network such as Ethernet, broadband, orInfiniBand; a wireless network such as a IEEE 802.11-compliant networks,cellular data networks, or other wireless networks; or other types ofnetworks such as a fiber optic network. The server 301 is in someembodiments a wagering game server having dedicated wagering gamefunctionality, but is in other embodiments a standard computerizedsystem configured to perform various wagering game server functions suchas are described above.

In some embodiments, the wagering game server is operable to execute orconduct one or more different wagering game programs, and to receiveinput and present results on a networked wagering game machine such as303 of FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the wagering game systems 303 areoperable to download a variety of different wagering games from theserver, and to present one or more of these games to a user. In this andin other examples, the wagering game system may store a variety ofdifferent wagering games within the wagering game system.

Unfortunately, some wagering games that are playable on a given wageringgame system 303 may not be appropriate for execution on each specificwagering game machine. For example, a fishing-themed wagering game maynot be suitable for play on a wagering game cabinet havingwestern-themed icons on its installed mechanical reel set, while a goldrush-themed game may be determined to be suitable for use with thatparticular reel set. Similarly, the artwork installed on the wageringgame machine, such as the commonly used glass panels illuminated frombehind (known simply as “glass” in some parts of the industry), may beassociated with a particular wagering game or group of wagering games,and may not be appropriate for use with other games. Controls such asbuttons installed in a user interface console may further be appropriatefor some games, but not for others.

FIG. 4 shows a mechanical reel slot assembly, and FIG. 5 shows a pieceof art glass for use in a wagering game machine, each including anidentifier, consistent with example embodiments of the invention. InFIG. 4, a reel slot machine assembly has a number of reel slots 401attached to a frame 402 that is used to mount the reel assembly in awagering game system. In other embodiments, the reel frame is a fixedpart of the wagering game system, but the individual reel elements 401are replaceable. Here, the reel assembly is further coupled to thewagering game system by an electrical connector 403, which is coupled tomotor 404 and is used for purposes such as to control motors 404 tospin, stop, and track position of the reels.

The reel slot assembly of this example has a wild west theme, and sofeatures images of cowboy hats, rifles, law enforcement badges, andother thematic elements on the reels. These theme elements areconsistent with at least one wild west-themed wagering game, such as inthis example a game called Wild West. Because the reels aregame-specific, it is desired that the reels not be installed or usedwhen games with other themes are played, such as during a fishing or carracing themed game. The reel assembly therefore includes at least oneindicator, operable to identify the reel assembly to the wagering gamesystem.

The indicator in this example comprises an electrical signal conveyedvia the connector 403, such as a serial number or other identifierstored in circuitry or a simple pattern of interconnected wires designedto convey the identity of the reel assembly. In other embodiments, otherfeatures of the reel assembly, such as a barcode, a mechanical patternformed in the reels or the reel frame, or other mechanical or electricalmethods are used to store an identifier that is able to identify thereel assembly to the wagering game system. In a further example, eachreel strip may be different from the next, and will contain anidentifier distinguishing one reel strip from another, so that theproper order of reel strips in the reel strip assembly can be confirmed.

The wagering game system in some embodiments is therefore only operableto run or play wagering games matching the installed physical elements,such as by having the proper reel assembly for a particular game. Inother embodiments, an alert or misconfiguration signal is generated, butthe game remains functional. The indicator in another example indicatesthat the necessary physical components for the particular wagering gamehave been purchased, and that the game is therefore licensed for play.

Availability of various wagering games will vary depending on the typeof wagering game system and network configuration. Some wagering gamesystems will have a single wagering game installed, such as via a flashmemory device or hard disk drive storage, and simply be unable toexecute the game without having the proper physical component orcomponents with the proper indicators present. In other embodiments, avariety of wagering games are installed within the wagering game system,or a variety of wagering games are available via a network, and onlythose suitable for use with the installed physical componentconfiguration will be available for play. Networked games in one exampleare downloaded over the network to the wagering game system, where theyare available for play. The wagering game player selects the wageringgame in some such systems, while the wagering game establishmentcontrols the wagering game available for play on other systems. In otherserver-based examples, the wagering games are executed on the wageringgame server, and are merely presented on the wagering game system.

FIG. 5 shows a further example of a wagering game system physicalelement comprising an identifier, in which a piece of art glass showinga particular theme comprises an identifier. In this example, the artglass 501 includes a visible area 502 that can be seen by a wageringgame system player, when installed such as shown as the top panel of thewagering game shown in FIG. 1. This example continues the wild westtheme, showing both the name of the game and a variety of artistic orthematic elements to indicate the theme of the game and enhance the gamepresentation. Outside the visible area 502 of the glass 501, anindicator contains coded information identifying the particular piece ofart glass, its theme, or some other such characteristic of the art glassor the wagering games with which the art glass is compatible.

The first indicator example shown at 503 is a barcode, which is in oneembodiment simply printed onto the art glass using the same traditionalprinting process used to print the art onto the glass. This has theadvantage of using existing equipment and methods to produce the artglass, but requires a barcode reader be installed in the wagering gamesystem to read the barcode to enable operations such as gameavailability or downloading a particular wagering game based on theidentified barcode. In the other illustrated example, a foil pattern504, or a pattern of conductive paint or other material printed onto theglass can be detected by a series of electrical contacts within thewagering game machine, enabling easy identification of the art glass anddetermination of whether a particular wagering game is compatible withthe art glass based on the identifier. In more complicated systems, avariety of other identifiers are incorporated into the art glassphysical component, such as electrical, optical, mechanical, or radiofrequency components. In one such example, a simple wireless passivetransponder device such as the security cards commonly used for parkingramp and building access is incorporated into a physical component ofthe wagering game machine, such as the glass or reels, enabling an easyautomatic check of the physical configuration of the wagering gamesystem. In a more complex example, wireless devices such as a Bluetoothtransponder are incorporated into a physical component, and may includea simple identifier, license information, or even the game code itselfin various example embodiments.

In other wagering game system examples, a unique characteristic of somephysical configuration component is identified by the wagering gamemachine, such as a security camera system that peers through an openingin the art glass recognizing an identifier such as a barcode or aportion of the art itself. In other embodiments, a camera recognizesreels, art, or another characteristic identifier of the physicalcomponent. In a more complex example, security cameras within thewagering game establishment enable identification of the art glass,mechanical reels, or other physical component of various wagering gamemachines installed in the facility, and work with other networkedcomponents of the wagering game system such as a wagering game serverincluding a physical map of wagering game machine locations to determinewhat wagering game machines are eligible to run what software.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example method of using a physical componentidentifier to enable play of selected wagering games. The wagering gamesystem is turned on and begins the self-test and boot routine at 601,and detects its physical configuration at 602. This includes reading anidentifier comprising a part of a physically configurable or replaceablecomponent of the wagering game system, such as recognizing art glass orreading information encoded into a mechanical reel set. The physicalconfiguration information is compared to a list of known or availablegames in this example, to determine which if any games available to thewagering game system are compatible with the machine's current physicalconfiguration. If there is more than one matching wagering gameavailable as determined at 603, such as a five-reel and three-reelversion of a fishing-themed game, one of the matching wagering games isselected at 604.

In either event, the wagering game system then looks for the matchingwagering game identified or the selected matching wagering game in thewagering game machine's nonvolatile memory at 605. If the wagering gameisn't present, it is downloaded at 606 and installed for play. In someembodiments this requires a reboot of the wagering game machine andrevalidation of the executable code upon bootup. Once the matchingwagering game is installed in the wagering game system, it is executedat 607, and is available for play.

In an alternate embodiment, all matching wagering games that areavailable are downloaded into the wagering game machine, and are madeavailable to the player. The player is therefore able to select fromamong at least two games before beginning game play, providing a greaterrange of game variation to the game player.

The indicators are installed in components of various types, such as amechanical reel assembly or top box, but in further embodiments are alsoinstalled in sub-components such as in both a mechanical reel assemblyand the individual reel strips, or in a top box and in the installed artglass. In one such example shown in FIG. 7, a top box is itselfidentified via one or more identifiers comprising a part of the top box,indicating that a particular type of top box is installed in thewagering game machine. This may be needed for a particular game, such aswhere a bonus component of the game is played on a second display withinthe top box. In this example, the top box is not a single component butcomprises a hierarchy of identifiable components, including the top boxitself as well as the art glass and display installed therein. In theexample of FIG. 7, the wagering game system 701 has an attached top boxassembly 702, which includes art glass 703 and 704, as well as a display705. The top box of this example also includes a spinning wheel device706 that is attached to the top of the top box, such as via a mountingbracket or pole on top of the top box. The indicators in the top box andits various components take various forms, including a serial numbercommunicated over a USB port or a USB device identification string, aswell as mechanical, optical, and other such identifiers.

The examples shown here illustrate how recognition of physicalconfiguration elements in a wagering game system enable the wageringgame machine to make specific wagering games matching the physicalconfiguration available for play. Although certain examples are shownand described here, other variations exist and are within the scope ofthe invention. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purposemay be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exampleembodiments of the invention described herein. It is intended that thisinvention be limited only by the claims, and the full scope ofequivalents thereof.

1. A computerized wagering game system, comprising: a gaming modulecomprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executedon the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value canbe wagered; and a physical configuration monitor module operable toenable execution of one or more wagering games associated with agame-specific physical configuration of the wagering game machine, andto detect the game-specific physical configuration of the wagering gamemachine.
 2. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, whereinenabling execution of one or more wagering games comprises enablingloading game code into an executable area of wagering game storage. 3.The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein thegame-specific configuration comprises physical artwork installed on thewagering game system.
 4. The computerized wagering game system of claim3, wherein the physical artwork comprises at least one of physical slotreels, cabinet artwork, or interface consoles.
 5. The computerizedwagering game system of claim 3, wherein the physical configurationmonitor module is operable to detect an identity of the physical artworkinstalled on the wagering game machine.
 6. The computerized wageringgame system of claim 1, wherein the physical configuration monitormodule is operable to detect the game-specific physical configuration byreading one or more identifiers comprising a part of the physicalconfiguration.
 7. The computerized wagering game system of claim 6,wherein the one or more identifiers comprise at least one of mechanicalcodes, barcodes, electronic codes, RFID (radio frequency ID) tags,physical circuitry, digital keys, and encrypted data.
 8. Thecomputerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein enabling executioncomprises making available for play at least one of a plurality of gameswhile excluding at least one of the plurality of games from play.
 9. Thecomputerized wagering game system of claim 8, wherein the plurality ofexecutable games comprise at least one of server-based games,downloadable games, and preinstalled games.
 10. The computerizedwagering game system of claim 1, wherein presence of the game-specificphysical configuration by the physical configuration monitor moduleevidences license to execute the one or more associated wagering games.11. A method of operating a computerized wagering game system,comprising: presenting a wagering game on which monetary value can bewagered; detecting a game-specific physical configuration of thewagering game machine; and enabling execution of one or more wageringgames associated with the game-specific physical configuration of thewagering game machine.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thegame-specific configuration comprises physical artwork installed on thewagering game system.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the physicalartwork comprises at least one of physical slot reels, cabinet artwork,or interface consoles.
 14. The method of FIG. 12, wherein detecting agame-specific physical configuration of the wagering game machinecomprises detecting an identity of the physical artwork installed on thewagering game machine.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein enablingexecution of one or more wagering games comprises enabling loading gamecode into an executable area of wagering game storage.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein enabling execution of one or more wagering gamescomprises enabling execution of the one or more wagering games on aserver coupled to the wagering game system.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein detecting the game-specific physical configuration comprisesreading one or more identifiers comprising a part of the physicalconfiguration.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or moreidentifiers comprise at least one of mechanical codes, barcodes,electronic codes, RFID (radio frequency ID) tags, physical circuitry,digital keys, and encrypted data.
 19. The method of claim 11, whereinenabling execution comprises making available for play at least one of aplurality of games while excluding at least one of the plurality ofgames from play.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality ofexecutable games comprise at least one of server-based games,downloadable games, and preinstalled games.
 21. The method of claim 11,wherein detection of the game-specific physical configuration evidenceslicense to execute the one or more associated wagering games.
 22. Amachine-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, theinstructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wageringgame system to: present a wagering game on which monetary value can bewagered; detect a game-specific physical configuration of the wageringgame machine; and enable execution of one or more wagering gamesassociated with the game-specific physical configuration of the wageringgame machine.
 23. The machine-readable medium of claim 22, whereindetecting a game-specific physical configuration of the wagering gamemachine comprises detecting an identity of physical artwork installed onthe wagering game machine.
 24. The machine-readable medium of claim 22,wherein detecting the game-specific physical configuration comprisesreading one or more identifiers comprising a part of the physicalconfiguration.
 25. The machine-readable medium of claim 24, wherein theone or more identifiers comprise at least one of mechanical codes,barcodes, electronic codes, RFID (radio frequency ID) tags, physicalcircuitry, digital keys, and encrypted data.
 26. The machine-readablemedium of claim 22, wherein enabling execution comprises makingavailable for play at least one of a plurality of games while excludingat least one of the plurality of games from play.
 27. Themachine-readable medium of claim 22, wherein detection of thegame-specific physical configuration evidences license to execute theone or more associated wagering games.